Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week; Cruise Bar hosts famous fashion event; MBFWA business wheels in motion

Cruise Bar Hosts Fashion Week...

When it comes to style the Cruise Bar and Restaurant is a perfect host partner for the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Australian Fashion Week.

For the first time in many years, Cruise Restaurant is open to the public everyday of fashion week for lunch and dinner.

Fashion Week is Sydney’s premier fashion and lifestyle event showcasing some of our most talented and contemporary designers.

The beautiful waterfront location of Cruise Bar in Circular Quay is an ideal location to enjoy gourmet food, decadent wines and delicious cocktails while enjoying the cultural surrounds that is Fashion week.

For more information visit their official website.


Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Business, fashion, beauty, deals and gossip...

Sydney will be enjoying a bevy of catwalk shows and party like events as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia commences tomorrow. But unlike the increasing number of fashion festivals across the country where people can buy tickets to events, MBFWA is invitation only.

Today was media registration day, which was quite an event in its own right.

Over five days, fashion designers show their latest collections to media reps, celebrities and  retail buyers, and the response can be paramount to the bottom line.

This year happens to mark Mercedes-Benz’s return to Fashion Week as the title sponsor, which many media and fashion commentators have welcomed.

“The strong link between Mercedes-Benz and fashion was initiated in Australia with the launch of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in 1995, so it’s come full circle,” advised Mercedes-Benz senior manager of corporate communications David McCarthy.

The car maker’s Fashion Week events have spread around the world to places such as New York and Berlin, and to Swim Fashion Week in Miami.

The Mercedes-Benz’s sponsorship deal was not exactly a secret last year as Rosemount’s (wine) five-year run came to an end. The new deal is understood to be valued at $1 million over three years but McCarthy says the details are confidential.

MBFWA comes with a many change. A key change from the festival organisers is that IMG Fashion have reduced the price of on-site venue fees. A trend over the past few years.

This year, it set back exhibitors $14,250 to use the newly returned Tent at the Overseas Passenger Terminal as a catwalk venue, $6000 to be a part of Fashion Week but show off-site and between $3000 and $8000 to showcase collections at The Rocks Pop-Up suites.

Two of the festival’s biggest names, Josh Goot and Dion Lee, pulled out a fortnight before their respective shows. The designers who have fallen by the wayside in the lead-up to the five-day event have either opted to concentrate on upcoming overseas shows (Lee), to focus on getting collections out to coincide with northern hemisphere seasons (Goot) or have chosen to disregard Fashion Week from the get-go, with Fairfax Media pointing to Alex Perry as the example.

For Melbourne Business School associate professor of marketing Mark Ritson, having Australian designers drop out is a “tricky” scenario.

“On the one hand, you have to respect any Australian designer focused on building their reputation overseas,” he says. “We are perilously under-represented in Paris and Milan.

“But at the same time, a designer has to be careful of burning branding bridges back home. That said, if Goot or Lee make it in Europe they’ll be welcomed back home in 2013 with open arms.”

Fashion Week is serious business. Alongside Mercedes-Benz, sponsors that have signed on this year include DHL, EYE, HP, Maybelline NY, Redken, Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, Pentax, Keystone Hospitality and Getty Images.

The NSW government, Destination NSW and Austrade are also supporting the event.

In addition, designers are obtaining their own sponsorships. Jayson Brunsdon’s show, for instance, is being presented by Myer and sponsored by Qantas, Woolmark, TRESemme, MAC Cosmetics and Joh Bailey.

Couture designer Johanna Johnson is the virgin Australian designer to showcase her collection at the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Presents show, which has previously featured big fashion names such as Herve Leger by Max Azria, Carolina Herrera and Badgley Mischka.

“To do [the Presents show] during our first year back was a priority,” McCarthy says.

Johnson recently found international success, with Hollywood actresses Christina Hendricks and Maya Rudolph wearing her feminine creations on the red carpet.

The show will have the same feel – glamour, lots of hand-beading and detailed finishes.

“I hadn’t really considered doing it and was focusing more on overseas expansion this year,” Johnson says.

“But we’re having so much feedback from Australians wanting to know more now, it will be really good to showcase our luxury lifestyle line and red carpet ready-to-wear.”

She initially signed on to show in the smallest of the three catwalk venues, the Box, but had to move the show to the Tent (the biggest) as the number of outfits she wanted to parade expanded.

“It’s our debut show so we want it done as well as it possibly can be,” she says.

Australian accessories giant Oroton is launching its first ready-to-wear collection. But for creative director Ana Maria Escobar, the clothes are there to show off the accessories – be they handbags, jewellery or shoes.

“The biggest thing is when I walked into the stores, I saw they needed something soft to highlight the accessories,” she says.

Customers can expect “understated quality” from the new Oroton clothing range.

“To me, functionality is important,” Escobar says.

“So are the materials . . . it can be a simple singlet but made out of really beautiful silk or customised fabrics. There’s a tone of heritage as well.”

While Oroton views Fashion Week as important, Escobar says there is also “life beyond those 15 minutes on the catwalk”.

For the retailer, it’s about reminding people of the brand.

“We want to talk a little louder about the product we design,” she says. “Fashion Week gives us that space without having to scream.”

This year, a great spread of overseas buyers will be in attendance, many from online retailers such as Net-A-Porter, My Wardrobe, Shopbop, Moda Operandi and ASOS. Department store Harvey Nichols and Hong Kong-based Joyce will also have buyers present.

The retail picture in Australia is not particularly strong, and IBISWorld analysts are predicting growth for the local rag trade over the coming financial year will be flat at just 0.5 per cent.

IBISWorld general manager Karen Dobie says the high Australian dollar is a double-edged sword for retailers, as local vendors can buy overseas at a favourable rate, but increasingly tech-savvy competition is straining profit margins.

New to MBFWA: Dylan Cooper; Flowers for a Vagabond; Toi et Moi Sydney; By Johnny; Oroton; Watson x Watson; An Ode to No One; Jenny Kee; Aje; Roppa Pemmaraju; Bless’d Are The Meek and Nana Judy

Not present this year: Dion Lee; Josh Goot; Alex Perry; Arnsdorf; Morrison; Friend of Mine; Flannel; Karla Spetic; Lover; Therese Rawsthorne; Ms Couture; Rachel Gilbert; Little Joe Woman (voluntary administration); Nookie; Amber & Thomas; Marnie Skillings; Kate Sylvester; Shakuhachi; Bianca Spender; Dhini; Camilla & Marc; White Suede; Yeojin Bae; Lisa Blue; Limedrop; Stolen Girlfriends Club; Alistair Trung; Saint Augustine Academy (which shut up shop late last year)

Returning to the show: Romance Was Born; Camilla; Aurelio Costarella; Ksubi; Jayson Brunsdon; Akira


Camilla...

Since launching her label eight years ago, Camilla Franks continues to receive global recognition as an Australian designer who has a unique approach to creating colorful, playful and luxurious lifestyle fashion.

Her unique ready-to-wear and resort wear designs are becoming highly sought after products, capturing the attentions of celebrities and fashionistas alike. Camilla’s global fan club (which includes the likes of Beyonce Knowles, Miranda Kerr, Kate Hudson, Lily Allen and Gwen Stefani) reached new heights 2 years ago when the queen of television, Oprah Winfrey, glowed in one of her designs while taping her ‘down under’ series. The general public and the fashion world gushed and stock sold out overnight. Camilla is definitely a brand on the move.

So, how did Camilla Franks become one of Australia’s most iconic fashion designers? This iconic brand came to be whilst Camilla was exploring her passions for theatrical artistry. Here, she embraced her inner creative spirit to craft beautiful elaborate costumes for the various characters in her productions. It wasn’t long before the Australian fashion market caught eye of these imaginative, easy-to-wear designs and catapulted Camilla on this amazing journey.

Today, Camilla has evolved from beach and resort fashion into ready-to-wear clothes that cater to all her client’s needs. Globally, Camilla has begun weaving into the various fashion niches, resulting in a kaleidoscope of high-end editorial and extending an already growing customer database.
Over eight years, Camilla has produced nine collections: these include the highly anticipated 2011/12’s Spring Summer Collection, Labyrinth; which has received significant media attention and 2012’s Autumn Winter Collection Caravanserai, Camilla’s second winter season. The success of her brand is derived from Camilla’s philosophy that “all women have the right to look and feel beautiful no matter their age, colour, size or origin”, this is also a testament to the company’s popularity and growing awareness.

Camilla is a brand that celebrates women, self-expression, beauty and individuality. The signature ‘Camilla’ piece is a statement of brilliant colour, graphics and material rhythm. It is a celebration of shapes that can be tailored to individual styles and that follow global trends.


Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia Announces Preliminary Line-up...


Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia Announces Preliminary Line-upfor Spring/Summer 2012/13 Collections

Sydney, Australia (February 29, 2012) Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is excited to announce cult label Ksubi, celebrity favourite Camilla, Zimmermann, Lisa Ho, Toni Maticevski, Aurelio Costarella, Jayson Brunsdon, Ellery, and Carl Kapp will be amongst the line-up of designers showcasing their Spring/Summer 2012/13 Collections at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal, April 30 to May 4, 2012.

"MBFWA is a fantastic opportunity for emerging Australian designers to join already well established designers in showcasing their creations not just in venues that people expect but in venues and spaces that will reflect the diversity and vibrancy of the Australian fashion scene. The shows, presentations and locations demonstrate that MBFWA has a flavour and style that can more than hold its own around the world" says Gavin Allen, General Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific.

A stand out on the 2012 schedule is expected to be Romance was Born. The label is showcasing their polished ready to wear collection combining art and wearable fashion in a sophisticated Spring Summer range. Johanna Johnson will also attract hype as she hosts an intimate salon show for her debut at MBFWA. Mixing old Hollywood charm and modern simplicity, Johnson is renowned for her recent Oscar’s role dressing starlets in her eponymous label.

Iconic Australian brand, Oroton will also debut on the runway at MBFWA for the first time demonstrating the brand is as skilled at creating Ready to Wear women’s wear as well as their well known luxury accessories.

Joining this incredible line up of iconic designers are Magdalena Velevska, Alice McCall, Lisa Maree, Gary Bigeni, Bec and Bridge, Miss Unkon, Bowie, Kooey Australia, Michael Lo Sordo, Kirrily Johnston and Talulah.

New talent showcasing for the first time, Watson x Watson are sure to excite international buyers and media with their collections, providing new ‘ones to watch’ for our global audience. Watson x Watson focus on everyday luxury and easy glamour, with a relaxed, sexy appeal that has become synonymous with Australian fashion.

Other newcomers joining the MBFWA family: We are Handsome, Aje, Elliot Ward Fear, Roopa Pemmaraju, Flowers for a Vagabond, Suboo, An Ode to No One and Project Runway Australia winner Dylan Cooper and alumni by Johnny. Designers involved in the 2012 New Generation, Fashion Design Studio and Raffles emerging talent shows will be announced shortly.

“We’re extremely excited by the response from designers and brands and are looking forward to showcasing the new seasons Spring Summer Collections in our world class facilities on site as well as sharing more of the city of Sydney’s wonderfully unique locations with our expanded off site program of shows and presentations’” says Jarrad Clark, Global Production Director, IMG Fashion.

Leveraging our global network, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is introducing new showroom spaces, exciting venue upgrades and unique presentation spaces to ensure our line up of designers have innovative way to communicate their artistic vision for 2012.

For the first time on Australian soil, many designers will showcase their collections via a studio style presentation space known as The Box. Having established itself at MBFW in NY and Berlin, designers are redefining how they showcase their collections using this blank canvas. Australian designer Dion Lee recently used a presentation style space to showcase his collection at London Fashion Week and wowed crowds with his use of lighting to create drama and engagement around his collection without the confines of the runway.

2012 will also see the much anticipated return of The Tent. Synonymous with international fashion events, the sheer scale of The Tent showroom set on the Sydney harbour foreshore will create an incredible billboard for MBFWA and the Australian Fashion Industry for our attending local and international guests.

Key buyers will have the opportunity to get up close with designer collections during the week via a unique offering of Designer Showrooms via The Rocks Pop-Up Suites, utilising retail spaces within The Rocks historical precinct, designers will be able to house their collections off runway, and meet buyers and media in one on one appointments. It is here that designers are encouraged to create consumer offerings around the Fashion Week schedule to create more retail opportunities for our participating designer brands.

MBFWA hosts the world’s most influential buyers, media and industry players during the 5 day event and bring Sydney city to life with Fashion Week fever. With the support of our official partners, and showcasing designers, the 2012 season will be a standout year showcasing the creative energy and raw talent that Australia has to offer.

Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is proudly supported by Government partners Destination NSW and Austrade, Maybelline New York, DHL, HP/Intel, Redken 5th Avenue NYC and EYE and as well as media outlet Getty Images. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia is an IMG event.
The Spring Summer 2012/13 Collections will take place April 30 to May 4, 2012, Press and Industry Registration opens March 1, 2012.

For more information please visit us online at mbfashionweek.com
Follow us on Twitter @MBFWA and on the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Facebook

Websites

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (Australia)

http://australia.mbfashionweek.com

IMG Worldwide

www.imgworld.com

Cruise Bar

www.cruisebar.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

David Guetta Headlines Creamfields, Sydney, Australia

David Guetta...

David is astonished by his fame. "I have been a successful DJ for a long time, but it's just that the DJ world was not where it is now – at all. So it's like a new world almost. It's surprising – it's shocking, but in a nice way." He plays colossal venues. "Sometimes I'm in a place where I've seen really famous rock or pop artists when I was younger and I was, Wow! I cannot believe that I'm filling those places now. It's crazy."

Responsible for global hits such as I Gotta Feeling, Club Can't Handle Me and When Love Takes Over, the DJ machine has built a house music empire on collaborations with world-class pop and R'n'B stars.

They've seen him take out numerous Grammys, fill arenas normally reserved for only the biggest of rock bands, amass over 25 million fans on Facebook and half a billion views on YouTube.

In February, he was also named the world's most popular DJ, claiming the number one position in the DJ Mag 100 popularity poll.

And next up is his hit song with Chris Brown, I Can Only Imagine, but he says he'd rather "shoot himself" than produce or act in the video.

"I'm having fun when I’m shooting it, it’s interesting that hundreds of people that you don’t even know are there, but it’s just not my world."

"I really believe that I suck when it comes to acting, every time, and that’s really what makes it such a pain for me because I’m kind of shy in front of the camera and I don’t know why, but it’s just the way it is."

Guetta headlined a packed Creamfields at Fox Studios, Moore Park, earlier this evening and the international superstar did not disappoint.

David Guetta profile...

Worldwide producer/DJ, Grammy winning, platinum selling, superstar. Guetta is currently riding the wave of success following the release of his 5th studio album ‘Nothing But The Beat.’ Undoubtedly one the world's most famous producers, he has worked with the ‘cream of the crop’ of hit maker from Madonna to Sebastian Ingrosso. In addition to selling more than 5 million albums, Guetta produced the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” (highest-selling digital release in music history). “It doesn’t matter if I make a beat that’s going to be a song on the radio, or if I make a record that’s meant to please DJs,” Guetta says of continuing to bridge the gap between electronic and pop, “I always just think of making people dance”.

Creamfields Sydney Main Room acts were:

DAVID GUETTA
CHANGEOVER
DIRTY SOUTH
ABOVE & BEYOND
ALESSO
CONGOROCK
VITALIC
BOMBS AWAY
MINX

Websites

Creamfields

www.creamfields.com.au

David Guetta

www.davidguetta.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

JOHNNY RUFFO CONFIRMED AS SPECIAL GUEST TO SUPPORT NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK AND BACKSTREET BOYS ON THEIR AUSTRALIAN TOUR

Johnny Ruffo: Photography Eva Rinaldi

Friday 27 April 2012 – Live Nation are thrilled to announce that one of the hottest stars right now,
Johnny Ruffo, has been confirmed as the special guest on the upcoming New Kids On The Block and
Backstreet Boys Australian tour. So hot that Johnny has just been named as a runner-up in Cleo’s
“Bachelor of the Year” competition!

It’s been a massive 12 months for Johnny, who was a finalist in The X-Factor. He also went on the road
with One Direction and is now showing Australia his moves on Dancing With The Stars.
Johnny, 23, is also getting set to launch his recording career with Sony Music.
“Some days I pinch myself,” Johnny said. “I’ve just finished the One Direction tour, now I’m going on the
road with NKOTBSB. I can’t wait.”

New Kids On The Block and Backstreet Boys will arrive in Australia next month performing in
Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth. Tickets available now from Ticketek.
“If our fans want us down under, we'll go down under,” said New Kids’ Donnie Wahlberg. “Our
international fans have been flying to see us stateside for years, so now we are bringing the show to
them. Get ready Australia, we are coming to you!”

The Australian leg will bring the historic NKOTBSB tour for a limited six-show run, giving fans across the
globe chances to catch their favorite groups on one stage. Fans in Australia can finally see what North
American Press hailed as “One of the hottest tickets of the summer,” as described by OK! Magazine.
“Each tune was performed with the same energy, crotch-grabbing, and hip-thrusting that turned these
groups into teens sensations years ago. NKOTBSB may well be the tastiest musical mouthful of the
summer,” raved Entertainment Weekly.

NKOTBSB first shocked and delighted fans when they took to the stage together for a medley at the sold
out NKOTB Radio City Music Hall show. The two groups wowed audiences again in their first joint
televised performance at the American Music Awards in November 2010 and have toured consistently
through 2011 since coming together.

With more than 200 million albums sold between both bands, and smash hit after smash hit, these two
pop sensations have dominated the music scene for more than three decades. Aiming to please, these
guys are giving concert goers and diehard fans everywhere the ultimate “night out” experience.

NKOTB BACKGROUND

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK sold more than 80 million albums worldwide – including back-to-back
international #1 songs, 1988’s Hangin’ Tough and 1990’s Step By Step – and a series of crossover
smash R&B, pop hits like You Got It (The Right Stuff), Cover Girl, Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time),
Hangin’ Tough, I’ll Be Loving You, Step By Step and Tonight. The group shattered concert box office
records playing an estimated 200 concerts a year in sold out stadiums throughout the world. They still
hold many of these records to date. They were Forbes highest paid entertainers of 1990, beating out
Michael Jackson and Madonna. The band boasted an extensive and highly profitable merchandise line
which included everything from lunch boxes and sleeping bags to comic books, marbles and dolls.


More
Information is available at www.nkotb.com, facebook.com/pages/New-Kids-On-The-Block and
twitter.com/NKOTB

                               NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK AND BACKSTREET BOYS

An intimate night with Dame Edna: New Jenny Craig ambassador performs at Civic Hotel, Sydney

The Jenny Craig (Australia) official website reads: Dame Edna Everage is undoubtedly one of the most endearing Australian comic characters of all time, and one of the longest-lived comedic characterisations ever devised. Originally conceived in 1956, Edna has long since transcended her modest origins as a satire of Australian suburbia to become one of the most successful, best-known and well-loved comedy characters of all time.

As Dame Edna Everage prepares for her farewell tour "Eat, Pray, Live,” she has turned to Jenny to help her lose 15 kilos and fit back into those gorgeous stage outfits she is renowned for.

We secured more information on the latest marketing and media blitz on arguably Australia's highest profile diet and weight loss company...

The new Jenny Craig ambassador announcement was always going to be hard to keep a secret!

The new Jenny ambassadors are Dame Edna Everage and Barrie Humphries and they performed tonight at the Civic Hotel in Sydney.

News...

Humphries inks deal with Jenny Craig...

Barry Humphries is known for inventive ways to make a dollar, but this really takes the cake... so to speak.

In a deal understood to be worth more in excess of $250,000 Humphries, now 78, has become an ambassador for the weight loss program around the same time he hits the Australian stage for his last ever shows.

Jenny Craig is also snatching exposure by Humphries' alter ego, Dame Edna Everage, promoting the arrangement.

Previous "Jenny" ambassadors such as Magda Szubanski, a recently self outed lesbian, have discovered, signing up to Jenny Craig also comes at a substantial personal price.

Humphries have never been one to expose much of his private life in the public or media domain, is about to become a lot more public about his business and personal life and lifestyle.

Humphries has previously endorsed companies such as Vision Australia and Myer.

The rumour mill says he earned about $300,000 to front up Myers ad campaigns and make personal appearances at the store's Melbourne Cup marquee a few years back.

You can bet news media is about to become a lot more intimate with Barry (and Edna), and as long as he's making a dollar (and loosing some pounds), he seems pretty content with it all possums.

Websites

Dame Edna Official website
www.dame-edna.com 

Jenny Craig (Australia)
www.jennycraig.com.au 

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography
www.evarinaldi.com 

Music News Australia
www.musicnewsaustralia.com 

An intimate night with Dame Edna: New Jenny Craig ambassador

The Jenny Craig (Australia) official website reads: Dame Edna Everage is undoubtedly one of the most endearing Australian comic characters of all time, and one of the longest-lived comedic characterisations ever devised. Originally conceived in 1956, Edna has long since transcended her modest origins as a satire of Australian suburbia to become one of the most successful, best-known and well-loved comedy characters of all time.

As Dame Edna Everage prepares for her farewell tour "Eat, Pray, Live,” she has turned to Jenny to help her lose 15 kilos and fit back into those gorgeous stage outfits she is renowned for.

We secured more information on the latest marketing and media blitz on arguably Australia's highest profile diet and weight loss company...

The new Jenny Craig ambassador announcement was always going to be hard to keep a secret! On Friday night the cat was well and truly let out of the bag.

Now that we can reveal our new ambassadors are Dame Edna Everage and Barrie Humphries, we are sending you a reminder email for your RSVP to a very special launch party on Monday night.

On Monday night (April 23) at 6.30pm at the Civic Hotel, you will see a very intimate performance by Dame Edna Everage on stage.

News...

Humphries inks deal with Jenny Craig...

Barry Humphries is known for inventive ways to make a dollar, but this really takes the cake... so to speak.

In a deal understood to be worth more in excess of $250,000 Humphries, now 78, has become an ambassador for the weight loss program around the same time he hits the Australian stage for his last ever shows.

Jenny Craig is also snatching exposure by Humphries' alter ego, Dame Edna Everage, promoting the arrangement.

Previous "Jenny" ambassadors such as Magda Szubanski, a recently self outed lesbian, have discovered, signing up to Jenny Craig also comes at a substantial personal price.

Humphries have never been one to expose much of his private life in the public or media domain, is about to become a lot more public about his business and personal life and lifestyle.

Humphries has previously endorsed companies such as Vision Australia and Myer.

the rumour mill says he earned about $300,000 to front up Myers ad campaigns and make personal appearances at the store's Melbourne Cup marquee a few years back.

You can bet news media is about to become a lot more intimate with Barry (and Edna), and as long as he's make a dollar (and loosing some pounds), he seems pretty content with it all possums.

Websites

Dame Edna Official website

www.dame-edna.com

Jenny Craig (Australia)

www.jennycraig.com.au

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Beachley Classic Women's World Tour Surfing: Dee Why, Sydney, Australia

Beachley Classic Women's World Tour Surfing: Dee Why, Sydney, Australia

Courtney Conlogue Claims the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic Crown...

DEE WHY, Sydney NSW/AUS (Saturday, April 21, 2012) – Courtney Conlogue (USA), 19, has won the prestigious 2012 Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, over Malia Manuel (HAW), 18, at Dee Why beach today. In clean, but challenging two-to-three foot (1.5 meter) waves, the world’s best female surfers battled head-to-head for the biggest prize purse on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, with Conlogue taking home USD$30,000.

Stop No. 4 of 7 on the 2012 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic, run by seven-time ASP Women’s World Champion Layne Beachley, has caused some interesting twists and turns in the race for the coveted ASP Women’s World Title. Yesterday saw the early exit of reigning ASP Women’s World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW), 19. Then today the current ASP Women’s World No. 1 and 2 – Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 24, and Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 21, both bowed out in the Quarterfinals.

Conlogue who has won multiple ASP 6-Star events, today claimed her maiden win on the elite ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, a feat that sees her jump to 4th on the ratings. Conlogue and Manuel battled through the stacked field of competitors to reach the Final. The dying swell made conditions difficult, but Conlogue found the best waves that allowed her to execute multiple powerful turns.

“I’m speechless right now!” Conlogue said. “It’s been two years on the ASP Women’s World Championship Tour where I kept losing in the Quarterfinals. Then today after winning my Quarterfinal I just tried to go and win the thing. Malia (Manuel) was surfing great in the Final, even though the waves were tricky. I’m really stoked to have won this event! I love Steph (Gilmore) and Sally (Fitzgibbons) and to have them chair me up the beach was absolutely amazing!”

Manuel’s run to the Final wasn’t easy, defeating Gilmore and Tyler Wright (AUS), 18, in the morning’s Quarterfinal and Semifinal. Manuel’s smooth style and tail drifting turns saw her earn big scores and new fans all event. Her red-hot run was only ended by Conlogue’s superior wave selection. Manuel is now equal 6th on the ASP World Championship Tour, and she is now the highest ranked 2012 rookie.

“I’m really relieved to get a good result here at Dee Why,” Manuel said. “I’m happy to move up the ratings. It’s a great confidence boost going into the next three events. I’m really stoked to make a final in my rookie year. I hope the battle for ASP Rookie Of The Year goes down to the last contest. It’s really close between me and Lakey (Peterson). I’m not going to count her out.”

Rebecca Woods (AUS), 28, and Wright were the highest placed Australian surfers, both finishing equal 3rd place. Wright has placed 3rd three times this year, but this is Woods’ best result of the 2012 season and is sure to help her requalification campaign.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling at the moment,” Woods said. “I’ve had a few last places this year, so in some regards I was just happy to put it together for a few heats. I’ve made about nine Semifinals in my life and still never made it into that elusive Final. It’s good to be pushed by the younger girls. I woke up this morning and thought Courtney (Conlogue) was going to win today, then she was on my side of the draw and I cursed myself for putting that in my head. Then she beat me and won the contest, so I was right.”

Gilmore, four-time ASP Women’s World Champion, suffered a shock early exit at the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic today. Gilmore has had three final appearances in the first three events of the year, and today added a respectable equal 5th place finish to her tally. In testing conditions Gilmore was bested by an in-form Manuel, who also defeated her in their non-elimination Round 3 match-up yesterday.

“It’s disappointing,” Gilmore said. “But it’s not a terrible result for me. I feel really strong. When there’s great waves on offer I feel like I’m surfing great. It’s just a matter of getting those waves and I didn’t get them today. I’m looking forward to heading over to Brazil and finding the form I had in the first few events.”

Fitzgibbons went down in the Quarterfinals to eventual event winner Conlogue. Fitzgibbons held an early lead with two mid-range scores, but Conlogue snared the best wave of the heat and tore it apart with some impressive turns, netting a 9.00 (out of a possible 10) and won the heat.

“This is the worst part about what we do,” Fitzgibbons said. “Today I just wasn’t good enough. When you’re feeling strong, you really want to progress through to that Final. I got some early scores and it was really challenging out there. That one wave popped up for Courtney (Conlogue) and she grabbed a 9.00, which is the highest score of the day. I’m really happy for her. She’s a good friend and she trains and surfs really hard and that paid off today.”

More info www.ASPWorldTour.com

COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC FINAL RESULTS:
1: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 13.17
2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 11.56

COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC SEMIFINAL RESULTS:
SF 1: Malia Manuel (HAW) 12.67 def. Tyler Wright (AUS) 10.50
SF 2: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.33 def. Rebecca Woods (AUS) 10.10

COMMONWEALTH BANK BEACHLEY CLASSIC QUARTERFINAL RESULTS:
QF 1: Tyler Wright (AUS) 14.43 def. Laura Enever (AUS) 12.50
QF 2: Malia Manuel (HAW) 13.00 def. Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 11.47
QF 3: Rebecca Woods (AUS) 11.73 def. Coco Ho (HAW) 8.73
QF 4: Courtney Conlogue (USA) 14.97 def. Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) 13.34

CURRENT ASP WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR TOP 6 (after the Commonwealth Bank Beachley Classic):
1: Stephanie Gilmore (AUS)
2: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
3: Tyler Wright (AUS)
4: Courtney Conlogue (USA)
5: Carissa Moore (HAW)
6: Laura Enever (AUS)
6: Malia Manuel (HAW)

Websites

Beachley Classic Crown

www.beachleyclassic.com

Layne Beachley official website

www.laynebeachley.com

ASP World Tour website

www.aspworldtour.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com

Seal performs at Sydney Entertainment Centre, Australia

Tonight the legendary Seal played to an appreciative audience at the soon to be demolished Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Seal sounded and looked great, but at times was a little hard to see, as the background was quite dark in places.

The song that many came to hear live was 'Kiss from a Rose', which appeared in the soundtrack to the 1995 comic book movie 'Batman Forever'.

As you would expect, most of the fans went home very happy.

We wish Seal well with the rest of his tour and stay in Australia.

Other news

Speculation whether or not Seal and Australian singer - songwriter, and co judge on 'The Voice', Delta Goodrem are at item, however Seal tells news media that they are just good friends.

On March 10, 2012, Seal shared the stage with Kanye West, Soul Rebels Brass Band and Snoop Dogg at Brad Pitt’s Night to Make It Right Foundation New Orleans after-party, hosted by comedian Aziz Ansari. The charity event, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, raised money to build homes for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Seal has cancelled some of his Australian dates via promoter Dainty Group.

The Dainty website states: We are sad to announce that Seal’s scheduled shows in Perth and Canberra will unfortunately not proceed, due to ongoing scheduling conflicts with Seal’s international and Australian work schedule.

A spokesman for Seal said: "Due to further adjustments to Seal’s hectic touring and filming schedule while in Australia, we’ve had to make the difficult decision not to proceed with these two shows.  However, the remaining shows in Melbourne, Adelaide, Gold Coast and Sydney will definitely proceed as scheduled.:

Thank you to those involved with making tonight a success.

Stay tuned to this station for updates.

About Seal

Seal (Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel) was born 19 February 1963 in Paddington, London, England).

His stage name is Seal and he is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award. Seal is known for his numerous international hits; the best known being "Kiss from a Rose", which appeared in the soundtrack to the 1995 film Batman Forever. He has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide. He is a coach on The Voice Australia.

Websites

Seal official website

www.seal.com

Sydney Entertainment Centre

www.sydentcent.com.au

Dainty Group

www.dcegroup.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography

www.evarinaldi.com

Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr

www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography

Music News Australia

www.musicnewsaustralia.com